Open AccessSmokeless Tobacco Use and Knowledge among University Students
Author(s) -
Angela L. Monson,
Jessica A. Beaulieu
Publication year - 2011
Publication title -
the internet journal of allied health sciences and practice
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
ISSN - 1540-580X
DOI - 10.46743/1540-580x/2011.1335
Subject(s) - smokeless tobacco , demographics , tobacco use , medicine , significant difference , environmental health , knowledge level , demography , psychology , population , sociology , mathematics education
The authors explored the use, demographics, knowledge, and the impact of a statewide smoking ban on smokeless tobacco use among college students. Participants and Methods: During spring of 2008, 417 students enrolled at a Midwestern state university completed a 12-item survey. Results: Twenty-two percent of males in this sample have recently used smokeless tobacco. Participants had a mean knowledge score of 7.8, constructed from nine items on the survey. Non-users scored higher (p<.001) than users and females scored higher (p<.001) than males. Users (N=34) did not demonstrate a significant difference (p=.71) in use after the implementation of a statewide smoking ban. Conclusions:Knowledge does not appear to be the only factor influencing the use of smokeless tobacco. Additional research is needed to investigate other factors including the impact of a statewide smoking ban on smokeless tobacco use.